Press Release
Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean presented Fort Frances OPP Cst. Dan Bailey with the Medal of Bravery this morning at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
The bravery decorations were created in 1972 to recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others.
The Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
On Aug. 1, 2006, Cst. Bailey, who was off-duty at the time, rescued two women who were trapped inside an overturned burning vehicle following an accident in Elgin, Ont.
Cst. Bailey happened to hear the crash and ran to the car to find the two women trapped by their seat belts.
Despite the intensifying flames and extreme heat, Cst. Bailey managed to cut both seat belts, remove the driver, and carry her to a safer location.
He then returned to the vehicle to find that the passenger’s arm was pinned to the ground under the vehicle.
While others rocked the car, Cst. Bailey was able to free the woman.
Cst. Bailey suffered burns to his arms and face. Sadly, the driver did not survive.
The Governor General presented 47 decorations for bravery at this morning’s ceremony.
